V 6, 7.
As for me, already my life is being poured out on the altar, and the hour for my departure is upon me. I have run the great race, I have finished the course, I have kept faith.
NLT.  As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God.  The time of my death is near. I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful

Paul knew his life was coming to an end.  He was in prison in a culture which executed Christians.  He could be a peace about it, knowing that he had done everything that God asked of him to the best of his ability.  I remember talking with my grandfather a short time before his death at the age of 96.  He told me that he was ready to go and was not worried about dying because he felt that all through his life, when he had seen something needing to be done, he had done his best to do it.  He had finished his race well.  Paul's whole life had been an offering to God.

Quest Study Bible note, p 1651.  In the Old Testament sacrificial system, a drink offering was the wine poured out around the base of the altar as an offering to God.  As the end of his life approached, Paul saw the drink offering as an analogy for his life - poured out and given to God.

V 8.
And now the prize awaits me, the garland of righteousness which the Lord, the all-just Judge, will award me on that great Day; and it is not for me alone, but for all who have set their hearts on his coming appearance.

Paul paints a lovely picture of God rewarding him for finishing the race well with the crowning of the winner with a laurel wreath, as in the Olympic Games.  It's a picture of victory and rejoicing by both Paul and God.  While Paul is confident in the reward and praise that God will give him, he is quick to point out that such a reward will come to anyone who believes in Christ.and who longs for his return. the reward is a spiritual reward - it's a garland of righteousness that is given by God - not something we can earn.  God is the Judge and he will judge who has 'won' the race.

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V 16.
At the first hearing of my case no one came into court to support me; they all left me in the lurch; I pray that it may not be held against them.

When Paul went for the preliminary hearing of his trial in Rome, none of the Christian community went with him to support him. He must have felt very disappointed and  let down by them, but his immediate prayer was that it not be held against them - that they not suffer for the omission.  Paul loved and cared about these people and did not hold any grudges against them.  He wanted only what was best for them at all times, even when he was feeling deserted.  His thoughts were not for himself, but for his Christian brothers and sisters.

This is a great example for all of us.  We all hurt and disappoint each other from time to time.  That seems to be the nature of the human being. But God asks us not to hold grudges, but to forgive wrongs and move on, caring and loving each other as he does.

V 17.
But the Lord stood by me and lent me strength, so that I might be his instrument in making the full proclamation of the Gospel for the whole pagan world to hear; and thus I was rescued out of the lion's jaws.

Even though other people let Paul down - and they will let us down and we them - God never let him down. He had a very real sense of God's presence at all times.  He knew with complete confidence that God would be with him in danger - both physical and spiritual - and would support him.  In this way, he could continue to preach the Gospel to anyone within earshot, which was the job God had given him to do.  Paul saw his imprisonment and trial as an opportunity to witness for Jesus Christ.

How do I see times of trouble?  Do I fall into the trap of wallowing in my own troubles, or do I stay confident in God's presence and use my troubles as opportunity for witness?

V 18.
And the Lord will rescue me from every attempt to do me harm, and keep me safe until his heavenly reign begins.  Glory to him for ever and ever!  Amen.
NLT.  Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly Kingdom.  To God be the glory for ever and ever! Amen.

Paul was confident that God would save him from evil attack.  We sometimes think of Paul - Saint Paul - as being such a spiritual giant that he wouldn't suffer the same spiritual attacks as we do.  But he did. He had learned fom experience that God would help him at these times and he relied on this.  We can too.

New Bible Commentary, p 1311.  Paul ends on a confident note which leads him inot a spontaneous doxology.  In view of what he has already written, the rescuing from every evil attack cannot be supposed to mean that he expects release, but must be taken in a spiritual sense.  This would be in harmony with his reference to God's heavenly kingdom (NIV)